A young man who spent nearly four years looking after his grandmother is set to walk up Mount Kilimanjaro in her memory.

Shaun Ault, 22, sadly lost his nain, Glenys, when she died in July 2012 at the age of 77 after a five-year battle with dementia.

On Thursday, January 14 next year, Shaun will be starting the biggest challenge of his life - trekking up the world’s highest free-standing mountain and the highest mountain on the African continent at 5,896m to raise money for The Alzheimer’s Society.

The tough challenge up snow and ice-packed glaciers will push him to his limits both physically and mentally.

Although the fundraising target is £4,400, Shaun hopes to raise £10,000 and he now plans to hold a number of fundraising events.

Shaun, of Amlwch, Anglesey said: “Together with my grandfather Les, I cared for my Nain. I was her main carer and she was my best friend. Unfortunately, after four years she had a fall which led her into a nursing home. Her condition deteriorated and she sadly passed away.”

Former Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones pupil Shaun left school at 16 and completed an IT course at Coleg Menai, Llangefni. It was then that he decided to look after his nain.

Shaun, who has three younger brothers, said: “I think it’s because I have always been there - going to see my grandparents before my nain had dementia.”

Shaun Ault with his grandmother Glenys (Image: Shaun Ault)

Shaun said: “I stayed unemployed to look after her. It was hard work looking after somebody suffering with dementia 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As her dementia progressed, in the end she had to go to a care home, Glan Rhos, near Brynsiencyn. She had a fall at her home and we couldn’t look after her.”

Shaun said: “She was previously a very active lady. My grandparents owned a sports shop in Amlwch for 30-odd years and she did various charity events herself. She was very popular. She was a lovely lady. Dementia is a horrible illness for people. I had to be there 24/7. You can be up three of four times a night. They don’t know what day it is. She would wander around the house all hours. All they remember is the past. They don’t remember yesterday, just years back. She would go from Welsh to English. Nothing would make sense.”

Shaun, who still goes to see his grandfather nearly every day, said: “The Alzheimer’s Society is a charity that is close to my heart. The work they do is amazing and I hope that by me completing this challenge I can give something back. Although there currently is no cure, the charity works hard on finding new treatments which will increase the quality of life for sufferers. I would be so grateful if people could sponsor me and contribute to the very important work they do.”

For nearly three years, Shaun has worked at the front-of-house at the Bulkeley Hotel, Beaumaris.

His manager, Catherine Unwin, said they have contributed £400 towards Shaun’s registering for the trek.

She said: “We’re all behind Shaun and support him. He works hard and he’s liked by everybody here.”

Shaun’s dad Nigel, 51, who works at Rehau, Amlwch has represented Wales at pool has himself help to raise over £70,000 for charities over the years.

Nigel said: “When she passed away it hit him. They were very close. He’s determined he’s going to do this challenge.”

Businesses and individuals wishing to support Shaun should contact him at shaun@bulkeleyhotel.co.uk or his Facebook page Shaun’s Trek 2016 or www.justgiving.com/shaunstrek2016/